Microencapsulation of Calcium Using Water-in-Oil-in-Water Double Emulsion Method

Calcium in the form of tricalcium phosphate was encapsulated in the inner water phase of water-in-oil-in-water emulsion. Efficiency and payload of microcapsules were optimized using a D-optimal mixture design with four components (gelatin, agar, primary water-in-oil emulsion, and water in outer phase). Release profiles of calcium from microcapsules were determined at 4°C over 12 days. It was found that microencapsulation efficiency increased by increasing of water-in-oil emulsion to 45% and then decreased at higher contents of this portion. However, payload increased continuously with increase of water-in-oil fraction. Less calcium was released when both biopolymers and water-in-oil emulsion contents were increased.